It’s hot outside, but inside Baaad Anna’s, the air is cool and the pace is slower. Our old East Van shop has a kind of calm that settles in come summer: wool-lined shelves, tall ceilings, and that quiet, comforting hum of our oscillating fan working overtime.

This time of year, browsing becomes more meandering. Folks come in “just to look,” a phrase we understand deeply. That kind of looking often leads to a swatch or two, a gentle fall into a mohair haze, or the joyful realization that it is in fact the perfect time to plan your next sweater, maybe even before finishing your iced coffee.

And then there are the summer knitters, our kindred spirits. They arrive in breezy linens and well-loved Birkenstocks, pulling slightly sweaty balls of sock yarn from tote bags to colour-match their next project. Some are off to the Gulf Islands, with extra skeins nestled beside their swimsuits. Others are simply looking for a balcony project, a ferry companion, or a reason to sit still for a while.

Running a wool shop in a Vancouver summer might sound like a punchline to some, but not to us. We know that knitting doesn’t take the season off. It just slows down a little. It slips into the quiet hours. It shows up when the sun’s too high and you need something soft and steady to hold onto.

So if you’re wandering down Hastings Street and hear the low hum of a fan and the familiar rustle of yarn, step inside. The vibe is easy, the yarn is soft, and you’re always welcome to stay a while.

And if you’re craving some fresh air and fibre community, come join us for Knit Happens! This is a free, outdoor crafting series hosted in partnership with the East Village BIA, where we’ll come together to knit and crochet 4×4” squares that will be sewn into a beautiful neighbourhood tapestry.

The first meetup is tonight July 17th from 6–8PM at Kamloops & East Hastings Plaza, with more gatherings to come in August and September to piece it all together. Whether you’ve got needles, a hook, or just curious hands, all are welcome.